Model Write-Up #13 - Mandalore the Crusader

"Few Mandalorians were as devoted to their ancestry as Mandalore the Crusader. Once known as Ordannus Carrett, he left his name behind long ago to assume his new identity as a visionary of his people. In the times of the Galactic Empire, he believed the Mandalorian people had forgotten their ties to history: How, once upon a time, the Mandalorians had been the principal conquerors of the galaxy, challenged by only the mightiest foes, in only the very mightiest of battles. Now, they were reduced to bounty hunting and smuggling, working as petty criminals for coin. The Crusader did not care for credits - he cared for the greater cultural ascension of his people, and he did not want to see their potential as a people squandered. He sent a galaxy-wide transmission, coded in Mando'a and selectively organised, for all those who would listen to meet him in an abandoned system in the Outer Rim. He knew assuming the mantle of Mandalore would require proof of his worth, but that most of his people would answer the call to see how he would prove himself. As Mandalorians arrived, they found a huge capital ship - a modified Venator-class Star Destroyer - towing a gargantuan space creature, almost twice the size of a Star Destroyer. It carried the marks of hours of combat. Immediately after entering, the Victus and Gaza clan Mandalorians declared their allegiance. Sabin, after some consideration, also offered their allegiances. Sar'tan Clan, the smallest but by far the most respected, reserved judgement until they met him in person. Nidas Fett conducted a private meeting with the Crusader; afterwards, he declared his allegiance to the new Mandalore. With four major clans under his banner, it was only a matter of time until the tens of independent Mandalorians pledged their allegiance in turn. With his fleet amassed, the Crusader led them to the staging ground for his newest Crusade: The conquest of the Outer Rim territories, followed by the eradication of the Galactic Empire. He was a master strategist, and his plan seemed foolproof - a united Mandalorian fleet of his size, combined with the might of the Outer Rim, could very well challenge the Empire. However, it was not to be.

On their first hyperspace jump, a freak anomaly sent the fleet hurtling to the furthest reaches of the Unknown Regions. Those ships that weren't torn to pieces in transit found themselves devoid of power and drifting helplessly in space. Infighting began after a brief period of teamwork, and the Crusader lost all credibility for having led most of the galaxy's Mandalorians to their supposed doom. The Crusader was mostly abandoned by his supporters, although Victus Clan remained with him due to their fierce values of loyalty. He also kept the support of a handful of independent Mandalorians - including Cross and Cross' sister, Hex. He is currently attempting, in vain, to regain the support of the warring clans. He is aware of Nidas Fett's plan to reunite all of them under one banner, and whilst he respects Sar'tan Clan, he sees himself as the visionary Mandalore, rather than Nidas. He also has a bitter rivalry with Mandalore the Infernal, whom he sees as a butcher with no wider consideration of the meaning of their people."

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